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Purpose: Given the current scenario of increased smartphone use in youth, this study aims to evaluate the proportion of ocular symptoms and binocular dysfunction and their association with smartphone use in adolescents through a hospital-based cross-sectional study. Methods: The participants were asked to fill out questionnaires related to smartphone use and symptoms of eyestrain experienced (Balik et al. and Kucer). They were asked about the following seven symptoms: blurring of vision, redness, visual disturbance, secretion, inflammation, lacrimation, and dryness. Each symptom out of the 7, was scored on a scale of 0–1 and was used to calculate an Ocular Symptom Score (OSS) by summing the scores of each symptom.Depending upon the duration of smartphone usage, the participants were classified into four groups: <2 hours/day, 2–4 hours/day, 4–6 hours/day, and >6 hours/day. Binocular functions were assessed using near point of convergence (NPC), near point of accommodation (NPA), Accommodative convergence/Accommodation (AC/A) ratio, dissociated heterophoria, and binocular accommodative facility (BAF). Results: A total of 123 smartphone user adolescents, aged 10–19 years were included in this study. The mean age of the study population was 16.58 + 2.8 years, out of which 52.03% were males. Prevalence of ocular symptoms was higher in groups with greater duration of smartphone use (2 to 4, 4 to 6, and >6 hours/day as compared to <2 hours/day: 90.48%, 94.74%, 100% vs. 75% respectively). The mean of NPC was 8.51, it was highest in subjects using smartphones for >6 hours. (p-value =.001). The mean AC/A ratio was 2.83 + 1.03: 1. A low AC/A ratio was associated with a longer duration of smartphone usage (p-value =.0001). The mean of BAF was 7.4 + 3.18 cycles/min, only 30 (24.4%) participants had BAF beyond the normal range (<5 cycles/min). The mean of BAF was lowest in the group with >6 hours/day of smartphone use (p-value <.0001). No significant change was found in NPA and dissociated heterophoria with the duration of smartphone usage. Conclusion: Higher duration of smartphone use (>2 hours/day) is associated with various ocular symptoms and binocular dysfunction. However, additional research is necessary to authenticate the results of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stubble burning, a prevalent agricultural practice in Punjab and Haryana, poses significant environmental, health and socioeconomic challenges, particularly concerning air pollution and soil degradation. This systematic literature review (SLR) examines research findings, policy interventions and technological innovations aimed at addressing the adverse effects of stubble burning and promoting sustainable crop residue management. This review encompasses studies investigating the extent of stubble burning, its impact on air quality, soil fertility and human health, as well as alternative management strategies like the adoption of Happy Seeder technology and bioenergy utilization. The present article identifies key trends, challenges and opportunities in stubble-burning research and policymaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work focuses on establishing the relationship between bipolar fuzzy automata, reverse bipolar fuzzy automata, and double bipolar fuzzy automata. It also introduces the concepts of bipolar fuzzy subsystems, reverse bipolar fuzzy subsystems, and double bipolar fuzzy subsystems, and explores various properties associated with these subsystems. Furthermore, the paper aims to introduce the categorical aspects of bipolar fuzzy automata and reverse bipolar fuzzy automata, along with their functorial relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Encapsulated pancreatic fluid collection (PFC) is a requisite for endoscopic drainage procedures. The 4-week threshold for defining walled-off necrosis does not capture the dynamic process of encapsulation. We aim to investigate the changes in the wall characteristics of PFC in acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) by comparing baseline contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) with follow-up CT scans. Methods This retrospective study comprised consecutive patients with ANP who underwent a baseline CECT within first 2 weeks and follow-up CECT in the third to fifth weeks of illness. Presence, extent, and encapsulation thickness (defined as enhancing wall around the collection) on baseline CECT were compared with follow-up CT (done in the third–fifth weeks of illness). Results Thirty patients (19 males and 11 females; mean age 41.5 ± 13.5 years) were included in the study. The mean time to first CECT was 10 ± 3.6 days. There were 58 collections. The most common site was the lesser sac (n = 29), followed by the left pararenal space (n = 15). At baseline CT, 52 (89.7%) collections had varying degree of encapsulation (15.3%, complete encapsulation). Complete encapsulation was seen in 52 and 82.6% collections in third and fourth week, respectively. All collections in fifth week and beyond were encapsulated. The wall was thicker on follow-up CECT scans (p < 0.01). The mean wall thickness was not significantly associated with the degree of encapsulation (p = 0.417). There was no significant association between the site and degree of encapsulation (p = 0.546). Conclusion Encapsulation is dynamic and collections may get "walled off" before 4 weeks. Walled-off collections should be defined based on imaging rather than a fixed 4-week revised Atlanta classification threshold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gall bladder cancer (GBC) is common among the socioeconomically deprived populations of certain geographical regions. Aflatoxin is a genotoxic hepatocarcinogen, which is recognized to have a role in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the role of aflatoxin in the pathogenesis of GBC is largely unknown. We determined serum AFB1‐Lys albumin adduct (AAA) levels as a marker of aflatoxin exposure in the patients with GBC and compared to those without GBC. The relationship of AAA levels to cytogenetic (TP53mutation&HER2/neu amplification) and radiological characteristics of the tumor was assessed. We included GBC cases (n = 51) and non‐GBC controls (n = 100). Mean serum AAA levels were higher in the GBC group (n = 51) than those without GBC (n = 100) (26.1 ± 12.2 vs. 13.1 ± 11.9 ng/mL; p <.001). HER2/neu expression was associated with higher AAA levels compared to those with equivocal or negative expression (43.9 ± 3 vs. 28.6 ± 10 vs. 19.3 ± 7 ng/mL; p <.001). Older age (age >50 years) (odds ratio [OR] = 3.2 [CI: 1.3–8.2]; p =.013), positive Helicobacter pylori serology (OR = 5.1 [CI: 1.4–17.8]; p =.012), presence of GS (OR = 5 [CI: 1.5–16.9]; p =.009) and detectable AAA levels (OR = 6.8 [CI: 1.3–35.7]; p =.024) were independent risk factors for the presence of the GBC among all study subjects. Among patients harboring GS, older age (age >50 years) (OR = 4.5 [CI: 1.3–14.9]; p =.015), female gender (OR = 3.8 [CI: 1.2–12.5]; p =.027), presence of multiple GS (OR = 21.9 [CI: 4.8–100.4]; p <.001) and high serum AAA levels (OR = 5.3 [CI: 1.6–17.3]; p =.006) were independent risk factors for the presence of the GBC. Elderly age >50 years (OR = 2.6 [CI: 1.3–5.2]; p =.010) and frequent peanut consumption (OR = 2.3 [CI: 1.1–4.9]; p =.030) were independent risk factors for high serum AAA levels. The current study has implications for the prevention of GBC through the reduction of dietary aflatoxin exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new N-(4-fluorobenzyl) N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl) dithiocarbamate ligand (fbpm) having structural similarity to clinically approved antihistaminic drugs (viz. pheniramine, chlorpheniramine, and brompheniramine) and its four metal complexes [Co(fbpm)3] (1), [Ni(fbpm)2] (2), [Cu(fbpm)2] (3), and [Zn(fbpm)2] (4) were successfully synthesized and characterized by various techniques i.e. elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, HR-MS, NMR spectroscopy, and absorption and emission spectroscopy. Furthermore, complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 adopts distorted octahedral geometry around the Co(III) center while complex 2 adopts distorted square planar geometry around the Zn(II) center. X-ray data also showed various weak intermolecular C–H⋯F and C–H⋯N hydrogen bonding interactions leading to supramolecular architectures in complexes 1 and 2. The thermal decomposition study of complexes 1–4 analyzed by TGA shows that they are thermally stable up to 150 °C and also gives strong evidence for the formation of respective metal sulfides at higher temperatures. The antihistaminic activity of the ligand (fbpm) and its complexes 1–4 was examined against clonidine and haloperidol-induced catalepsy in Swiss albino mice of either gender in an in vivo animal model. The result shows that these synthesized compounds have antihistaminic potential to inhibit clonidine-induced catalepsy and may be targeted for different allergic conditions. Complex 3 showed maximum reduction in clonidine-induced catalepsy after 180 minutes of treatment when compared with the induced control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dietary knowledge, perception and practices may have a role in determining the nutritional status of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the assessment of these patterns has infrequently been done in developing countries. We aimed to evaluate patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) about their dietary beliefs, practices and changes after the diagnosis. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among patients with UC at a tertiary care centre in North India. Apart from clinical details, we collected information about dietary beliefs, sources of information, dietary practices and changes after the diagnosis of UC. The information was collected using a designed and pretested survey questionnaire. Results: We included 93 patients with a mean age of 40.6 ± 13.3 years and 49 (52.7%) were men. A majority of patients felt that diet had an important role in the causation of IBD (86%, n = 80) and triggering relapses (86%, n = 80). A total of 94.6% of patients (n = 88) felt that certain foods (especially spicy and fatty food and milk) items increased the symptoms of IBD. Patients felt that some food items (yogurt and buttermilk) improved the symptoms. A total of 96.8% of patients (n = 90) changed their diet in some form (commonly, restriction of milk products and outside food), 64% of patients (n = 60) deprived themselves of their favourite food after diagnosis, 80.6% of patients (n = 75) felt a need for additional dietary advice. Regular milk intake was seen more often by patients in remission than those with active disease in IBD (36/47 (76.6%) vs 7/15(46.6%), p = 0.03). Conclusion: Most patients believe that diet has an important role in the causation, relapses and treatment of UC. Patients also felt the need for more information regarding diet in IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]